It’s clear he hasn’t seen me. Caulder’s still talking on the phone so I listen to the background to try to gauge what he’s doing. Where he’s at. When he’ll switch to video.
“Okay, I’m going to call you on my tablet,” he says.
I ring the doorbell and hear it through the phone. Caulder sighs.
“Can I just ignore that?”
Laughing, I say, “No. Go answer the door. We’ll talk after.”
He sighs in exasperation. “This better be good,” he mutters and then hangs up.
I’ve just pocketed my phone when the door opens. Caulder stares at me in shock. Eyes wide. “Lo?”
“I’ve been waiting for fucking ever,” I complain, teasingly. “What took you so long?”
His eyes fill with tears, and he launches himself at me. I catch him, holding him tightly. His body trembles and I feel a tear on my neck. I hold him tighter.
“Thank you,” he whispers. “How did you know I need you here so badly?”
“Because I need to be here just as badly,” I answer. “I got you, babe. I’m not going to let you go until the very last minute in thirty-six hours. Promise.”
CHAPTER 29
CAULDER
I’m pacingmy living room, knowing that it’s just a matter of minutes before the interview is released everywhere. I made a decision that I’m not sure I won’t regret once it’s out there. But I did it for me. Not because of what this girl is doing.
I think.
I’m fairly confident.
Either way, my world is going to shift dramatically after this and… I’m terrified. What I wouldn’t give for Lo to be here right now.
But we both have a game tomorrow on opposite sides of the country, so it just didn’t seem logical. In fact, he’s traveling right now, which means my nerves are fucking fraying as I pace alone. Lo’s on his way home from Edmonton, where Arizona played yesterday.
This last week has been a whirlwind. Lo was here for almost exactly thirty-six hours before he had to go. I didn’t leave his arms. We were in contact nearly the entire time. It wasn’t until he left that I realized we didn’t mess around at all. No groping hands. No orgasms. Not even in the shower.
There was nothing missing from our time together either. Our relationship is more than sex and maybe for the first time,I felt that physically. I mean, I knew that already. Mentally. Emotionally, even. But I kind of thought that the physical parts would outweigh everything else when we were in the same place.
I’m surprised and fucking love that it doesn’t. It was the best thirty-six hours I could have asked for. Even though my world was still fucking rocky, I’ve felt immensely better since he was here.
Of course, now I long for him to be here more. His absence feels louder. My heart aches for him more strongly.
But this week has been… interesting. I’m not sure if this woman posted something new to stir the pot or if someone bit back, but I’ve received tons of calls in support. People that I don’t talk to often. Not because they’re not important in my life but because… well, life happens.
Egon Wolf called me. His first words were: “Want me to send a hitman?”
I laughed, but he didn’t. I’m going to pretend he wasn’t serious. God the way the attention would turn to me then!
Almost right on his heels, everyone from my past life when we were on the college team together reached out—Valenti, Jipson, Coach Adak. All offering me their support. Asking if there was anything they could do.
It touched me in a way that nearly had me in tears. Especially when Coach Adak called.
Now it’s quiet. Too fucking quiet. What I wouldn’t give for Lo to be somewhere that we could at least be on the phone together. Even if not on video.
The interview is being released in multiple places, both written and audio. I’ve heard and read both. I approved them.
But fuck, I may pass out.
